LAST CHANCE SALOON IN THE VERTU TROPHY

ccfcinsider
Nov 10
2 min read

Updated: Nov 11

Cardiff City close their Vertu Trophy group with the visit of Arsenal's U21's, with City in need of a victory to advance.

The Opposition:

The young Gooners had successes last season, with many players making breakthroughs to the first team, such as Myles Lewis-Skelly, Josh Nichols, Jack Porter and others. Arsenal were knocked out of the Premier League 2 at the Quarter Final stage, and failed to make it out of their Vertu Trophy group.

There has been plenty of turnover during the summer, with plenty players either making the permanent move to the first team, departing, or players from the U18's making the step. Arsenal did recruit Remy Mitchell from Haringey, Marcell Washington from Chelsea and Demiane Agustien from Derby County.

U21's Head Coach Max Porter prefers a high-intensity, possession-based style built around quick transitions, pressing aggressively when out of possession, and maintaining compact team structure between the lines. His sides typically emphasize fluid movement and technical control, with midfielders rotating to create overloads and attackers encouraged to press from the front.

The Bluebirds:

Cardiff come into this one on the back of a 3-1 defeat against Blackpool. The Tangerines struck three in the second half, leaving Yousef Salech's late goal nothing more than a consolation.

Opposition Player to Watch:

Charles Sagoe Jr has returned to Academy football this season and caught the eye with Arsenal's U21's. Sagoe Jr is a quick, left-footed winger who cuts inside from the right to dribble past defenders, create chances, and shoot with precision.

The winger has been with Arsenal since 2015, making his first team debut in 2023. Loan moves to Swansea City and Shrewsbury Town followed, before returning to Arsenal this season. The 21 year-old has netted five and set up three in ten appearances this season for the young Gooners.

Team News:

Cardiff City - Rubin Colwill, Dylan Lawlor, Joel Colwill, Ronan Kpakio, Cian Ashford, Tanatswa Nyakuhwa, Dakarai Mafico and Luey Giles all miss out due to internationall callups. Robert Tankiewicz, Eli King, Chris Willock, Perry Ng and Ollie Tanner out injured.

Arsenal U21 - Max Dowman unavailable for the visitors due to an international callup.

Preferred XI:

GK - Matt Turner

RB - Jack Kingdon

RCB - Calum Chambers

LCB - Gabriel Osho

LB - T-Jay Parfitt

CDM - Ryan Wintle

RAM - Callum Robinson

LAM - Troy Perrett

RW - Omari Kellyman

LW - Isaak Davies